There was a time that the title of intellectual was of great reverence in society. Now, as Raymond Williams writes in his “Keywords:

“Until the middle twentieth century unfavorable uses of intellectuals, intellectualism, and intelligentsia were dominant in English, and it is clear that such uses persist.”

It is easy to understand why. Many intellectuals today have become courtiers to power. They have become stenographers and apologists to the political and financial elites that have eroded away our rule of law, our environment, our middle class, and the institutions that we once looked to for guidance.

The following is my interview with Girl Rising, a campaign to empower girls and to fight poverty through education. Female empowerment has to start from childhood. Strong girls make the whole society strong.

Dr. Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik: What are the objectives of Girl Rising?

Girl Rising: Girl Rising is a global campaign for girls’ education and empowerment. We use the power of storytelling to change the way the world sees and values girls. Together, with partners, we launch high profile campaigns to bring visibility to the issues girls face and inspire people to dismantle the barriers that hold them back.